🌸 Noire Henro-San: Scary Lions

It’s time! Yes. It is time to as the old folks say to “get on up out of here!” I accomplished everything that I wanted and more. I’m grateful that I left my footprints all over Japan as a pilgrim… a traveler. I learned about myself. Also I learned more lessons about the vagaries of life and my ability to overcome most of them. And if I could not, I did not let the disappointment linger or destroy my spirit.

Dry run to Namba Station

My last week in Japan – Osaka – helped me decompress. I visited eighty-eight temples on the pilgrimage path, plus other temples and shrines totalling 100 goshuin written in my stamp book!

Two nights ago, I reviewed my plane ticket, emptied, inspected and packed my backpack. I was almost certain that I knew how to get to the train station in ample time to get to the airport.

Just to make sure, I made a dry run or walk through the streets of Osaka to Namba station.

Neighborhood Shrine

To the movies

Across the plaza from Namba is a cinema featuring both Japanese and American movies. It was on the eighth floor of a high-rise building. At the ticket counter, I asked about a senior discount. The helpful staff helped me make the purchase with the discount and upgrade to an IMAX screen.

And all around

I returned to my room.

Lastly Namba station

Travel day.,This is the real thing. Checked out of the hotel.

and… wait a minute. What’s this? It is a small crowd.

Namba-Yasaka Shrine

This shrine is small and compact and pretty popular. The lion head-shaped building called Ema-Den is the main draw. Why a lion? Apparently, the huge open mouth will swallow any evil spirits plaguing you.

Ema-Den and the surrounding temple structures are all post-war reconstructions of the original buildings that were destroyed in the Osaka air raids and fires in 1945.

It was really crowded but the place had a fun, light vibe.

This was a lucky meeting. I thought that I would end my trip without seeing another Shikoku pilgrim. I met this ohenro who had recently finished his pilgrimage. We talked for a while and shared a story or two. I am glad I met him. Good luck my friend!

Could I pass up this last opportunity to receive one last goshuin? Certainly not. I stood in line and held out my book and fee for the 101st and last time.

Continuing…

Walked through the streets of Osaka to Namba station.

To the plaza in front of Namba train station.

Ok. Enough for the diversions! Let’s get inside the station.

To Kansai airport and home.🕉️

As I look back on my own life, I recognize this simple truth: The greatest opportunities were the scariest lions. Part of me has wanted to play it safe, but I’ve learned that taking no risks is the greatest risk of all.

– Matt Batterson

See you next time.

Baadaye and Mata Ne (またね)

Shirley J ♥️

This and several posts this summer chronicled my pilgrimage in Japan where I walked the 1200 kilometer-long Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage and beyond. Read my announcement here.